Getting ready for Strawberry Festival on Saturday, March 1
BY SUSAN HANAFEE
Imagine having a great time eating strawberries and brats, bidding in the silent auction, and checking out the bargains and books at the annual Strawberry Festival in Boca Grande. Now imagine that all that fun benefits charities that serve local women and children in need.
No need to imagine. It’s all true. Last year, the Strawberry Festival raised and donated more than $125,000 to local charities. Benefitting from the contributions by volunteers, businesses, and festivalgoers were the Englewood Community Care Clinic, the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE), Links2Success, Kids Needs, Englewood Young Life, and Helping Hand.
“As you would expect, the need is even greater this year,” said Leslie McGeehen, festival co-chair. “We are counting on everyone’s help and attendance as we work to match or beat last year’s numbers.”
The festival will be Saturday, March 1, on the grounds of the Boca Grande Lighthouse Methodist Church at 3rd Street and Gilchrist from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Unfortunately, the Community Center grounds where the festival has been held for nearly 30 years were not available because of construction in the area.
“We’ve had to do some maneuvering to make things work, but we’re confident they will work. You could say our enthusiasm is high,” McGeehen said.
The team of grillers will be in the Crews Bank parking lot. The church’s Fellowship Hall will hold the bargains, books, and other goodies, along with the volunteers who are preparing and serving strawberry shortcake.
The Silent Auction will be slimmed down to less than twenty items and will be set up on 3rd street near the church office. Because of space constraints, this year’s auction is limited to the items bidders seem to like the best, including dinners, golf outings, the popular trip to The Broadmoor, and artwork.
“We’ll also have things that folks might have lost in the hurricanes, like barbecue grills and coolers,” said Jim Benson, who is leading the auction team. “We may be smaller, but we’ll still have some terrific items.”
The bake sale will include yummy soup-to-go, along with mouth-watering homemade items. There will also be delicacies from Sassy Tarts and gluten-free treats. The Wine Pull is excited to have several outstanding bottles in the mix of good wines. Early reports are that the strawberries are extra sweet and tasty this year.
As a special item, some selected paintings done by the late artist Jane Carlson will be available for purchase. In addition, the popular band Green Flash will be playing throughout the event.
The Strawberry Festival is sponsored by the Methodist Church’s United Women in Faith organization. Anyone interested in donating books, new and gentle-used household bargains, wine, or monetary donations can drop them off at the church office on 3rd Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
